Mercury remains retrograde in Capricorn until February 12, when it goes direct. In my experience many people are more concerned about Mercury being retrograde than almost any other planetary challenge! The thing to remember is that not all Mercury retrogrades are the same. It depends on the sign it is retrograde in and other aspects. Since Mercury is in Capricorn, a grounded and supportive earth sign, and aspected by Jupiter, it is better than many other “Mercury retrogrades.”

Saturn Moon

Starting on February 12 and 13 things start to get a bit more complicated. The moon, which represents our emotions, goes into Scorpio those 2 days with Saturn. Scorpio is tumultuous on the emotional level, and Saturn can make it feel restricted. However on February 14, Valentines Day should be more favorable (just in time to make up). The drama ends and the moon moves into the next sign, giving us perspective to share on what the prior days brought up for us.

Mars, Venus and Ketu have a party, and then invite the Moon to join!

Added to that picture is Mars going into Pisces on Feb. 12, and then Venus on Feb. 15. Ketu, the negative eclipse point happens to also be in Pisces at this time. So what is happening with this mix of energies? Venus is exalted in Pisces (!) and wants to give completely of itself unconditionally. Mars is the planet of individuality and wants to stay strong in itself. Pisces is encouraging our individual selves to give up their limited individual wants and desires. Between Feb. 19-24 this dialogue becomes very strong inside of us as the two planets are less than one degree from each other in the sky. On Feb. 20 and 21 the Moon in Pisces will join them! (You might be able to see them with the moon setting after the Sun in the western sky). Add to that a bit of mystery from Ketu or possibly even confusion. The Vedas say that Ketu obscures things, like smoke from a fire. At the same time Ketu urges us to let go of all attachments, so it is very profound on a spiritual level. So what can emerge is either some very profound insights into the mystery of the universe, and possibly even insights into our relationships too. The cosmic Shiva and Shakti are walking the tight rope between self and individuality!

Jupiter is Exalted still until July 13, 2016

This is a huge blessing that only comes our way once every 12 years for one year! Jupiter is in it’s most favorite sign of Cancer bringing spiritual teachings and great blessings to our planet. Currently it is retrograde, so it is very bright in the sky and you can see it at night. On March 1-3 it will be near the moon, which is a great blessing to see, and usually puts everyone in a wonderful mood.

This is also a good time to take advantage of this timing from now until mid July to select a “Muhurta.” A Muhurta is an auspicious date that is picked by an astrologer. When the date is selected the astrologer will often put the exalted Jupiter in a prominent house in the chart. In the scriptures it is says “when Jupiter is rising in a chart it removes a thousand blemishes.” So if you are thinking of getting married, engaged, starting a business, building a house, or other new project, this is a great time. It is best to have an astrologer pick the exact day and time that is best for this as well.

I say “great adventures” in a slightly humorous way, since Mars is not always the most comfortable planet to deal with. Normally Mars transits through each sign in 6 weeks, but currently has a much longer agenda transiting through Virgo this year. Mars does not feel at home in Virgo and has already been transiting in Virgo for several months now. This is a challenge to those with a Virgo ascendant or Moon. They could feel irritable, and need to figure out how to work with Mars. This affects everyone to a greater or lesser degree, depending on which house Virgo rules in your chart, and if you have any planets there.

If I was invited to write the “Dummies Guide” on how to deal with Mars, this is what I would say in a nutshell: Here are some do’s and don’ts when Mars is affecting your chart in a major way. Remember that Mars is like a surgeons scalpel, depending on how we use it, it can help or harm both ourselves and others.

Do’s:
*Make goals and get things done
*Exercise a lot (martial arts or yoga anyone?)
*Become more independent
*Analyze feelings of anger and express them properly
*Become more disciplined
*Introspect to see how you can change and not try to change others

Don’ts:
*Let Mars get too involved in your personal relationships
*Blast people with the full force of your pent up Mars energy
*Don’t take unecessary risks (since accidents are more likely to happen when Mars is in certain positions in your chart)

Mars will venture into Libra on February 4 until March 25, giving the Virgos a bit of a break. The news is not great for Libra rising or Libra moon when Mars transits there because Saturn and Rahu are also currently in Libra. Mars is implusive by nature, Saturn likes to take it’s time, and Rahu is often looking for new experiences and never satisfied. Libras would do best to join their forces with Saturn, and not become swayed by the more “seemingly exciting” energies of Mars and Rahu. Thankfully Jupiter is also making a nice trine to Libra, giving great wisdom on how to handle this combination of opposing energies.

Also those with planets in Aries, especially their moon or rising, get the full crash course in how to deal with malefic planets during the transit through both Virgo and Libra. Mars aspects Aries with an 8th house aspect from Virgo, and a 7th house aspect from Aries. So either way they are getting “empowerd” by Mars, or “irritated”, depending on how they work with it. They also have Ketu transiting their 1st house of self, and Saturn, Rahu and Mars in their relationship house!! In this situation it is best to not have a lot of expectations around relationship, realizing that this planet we incarnated on has many lessons to teach us both through the ups and the downs of life.

The months of February and March could also be a challenge for Scorpio moon or rising signs, since Mars is their ruling planet. In Libra Mars moves into their 12th house of loss, moksha, and yes, even the house of sleep. Mars feels restricted by Saturn, and sort of “amped up” by Rahu, so it’s a bit messy. Since the 12th house also relates to “giving to others”, Scorpios would feel happiest if they take this as their focus during these few months.

Especially watch February 4 and 5 when the moon gets involved in the Libra mix up by being in Aries with Ketu, opposite Mars, Saturn and Rahu. In these situations you can watch your own energy just by having some awareness. The problem is that you can’t control other people’s actions at that time. It is just best to give them some compassion and a wide berth, knowing that it is a challenging few days for everyone when every single malefic planet is affecting the moon (our emotional receptive nature.) Remember that aspect from Jupiter I talked about? So what’s the worry!

I will talk even more about Mars in the future since when it goes back into Virgo it will be there until July 13!